With short talks from Thangam Debbonaire (Former MP for Bristol West and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Refugees), Helen Kidan (Eritrean Movement for Democracy and Human Rights, EMDHR), Yodit Estifanos Aferweki (Médicines du Monde), and members of the Network of Eritrean Women (NEW) and Eritrea Focus, as well as a photo exhibition, “Eritrea in the News”, this event explores the grave human rights violations faced by Eritreans at home and on their journeys of escape, and the continuing rights violations they face on arrival in Europe.

The event is organised as part of the activities of the University of Bristol ERC Research Project, 'Modern Marronage: The pursuit and practice of freedom in the contemporary world' and the Migration Mobilities Bristol (MMB) Research Challenge, 'Control, conflict, resistance'.

17:30 - Drinks Reception

18:00 - Talks followed by Photo Exhibition

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SPEAKERS

Thangam Debbonaire

Former MP for Bristol West, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Refugees and Co-Chair on the All Party Parliamentary Group on Eritrea.

Helen Kidan

Co-founder of the 'Horn Human Rights' and 'Eritrean Youth' in the UK; Executive member of the 'Eritrean Movement for Democracy and Human Rights'; member of the 'Network of Eritrean Women' and 'Eritrea Focus'.

Yodit Estifanos Afewerki

Works with migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. Currently employed by the French NGO, Médicines du Monde within a European project previously in Calabria and now in Rome, where she manages a project on access to healthcare for migrants in informal settlements.

Dr Sarah Ogbay

Member of the EFND, LIA-BAAL (languages in Africa, British Association of Applied Linguistics) and the Network of Eritrean Women, Eritrean Snit Study Group.

Mr Habte Hagos

Founding member and Chairman of Eritrea Focus.

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EXHIBITION

'Eritrea in the News' is a photographic exhibition revealing a series of fascinating images captured at pivotal points in the country’s history, from Italian colonial rule through to the struggle for independence and the repression of dictatorship that followed. The photographs feature a mix of archive material and personal collections. The exhibition shows the trajectory of the country in a visual snapshot of the places and people that have shaped Eritrea, stretching as far back as 1882 up to the present day.Today, after decades of repression, there is a glimmer of hope. Ethiopia has reached out to Eritrea. Their leaders have met and there is the prospect of reconciliation. Yet Eritreans still long for true freedom.

About Eritrea Focus Eritrea Focus is an association of Non-Governmental Organisations(NGOs), human rights organisations, exile and refugee groups and individuals concerned with the gross abuses of human rights in Eritrea. It is an open and inclusive organisation that welcomes members from all sections of the Eritrean communities both at home and in diaspora as well non-Eritreans that are concerned with the dictatorship and the complete absence of rule of law in the country. It is funded through voluntary donation from members.